Effect of Particle Size and Shape on the Reinforcing Efficiency of Nanoparticles in Polymer Nanocomposites

The effect of particle characteristics such as size and shape on the reinforcing efficiency of nano-particles is investigated. Nanocomposites based on ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer containing five different nano-particles including clay, multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT), CaCO3, talc, and nano-crystalline cellulose (NCC) were produced. The analyses are performed in the melt and solid states. The highest property changes were obtained for clay and CNT, followed by talc, NCC, and CaCO3. By using morphological analyses, mechanical properties, and rheological data, the results were correlated to the amount of available surface area between the particles and polymer. Finally, the particles were compared using a material cost over mechanical performance ratio where the optimum was obtained for talc followed by clay, NCC, CNT and CaCO3.